Chemotherapy patients receiving treatment in new surroundings

October 16, 2012

Area chemotherapy and IV therapy patients started utilizing the new treatment bays in the Cancer Care suite at Sidney Health Center on Monday.

With the completion of Phase II, all outpatient cancer care services are now centralized in one-convenient location. Previously, medical oncology patients received chemotherapy and IV therapy treatments in the emergency room department.

Now cancer patients and their families can use the new private entrance located on 14th Avenue Southwest. The new entrance features a circular driveway for easy access to the Cancer Care area with designated parking lot for those going through cancer treatment.

“This is a dream come true for area cancer patients,” stated Judy Carda, Cancer Care Service Manager. “The new area offers a private, relaxed setting for patients and allows us to work closely with radiation oncology staff on a daily basis.”

Phase II of the project involved renovating Suite 103 in the clinic and building a private entrance to the Cancer Care Center. The renovation included adding four chemotherapy and IV therapy infusion rooms with a centralized nursing station as well as providing designated clinic space for the medical oncologist.

In January 2011, Sidney Health Center expanded its outpatient cancer services to include radiation therapy when it opened Phase I of the Cancer Care suite. Sidney Health Center installed a TomoTherapy Hi-Art radiation treatment system, which is the first of its kind in Montana.

Unlike traditional radiation therapy equipment, the TomoTherapy system combines CT scan imaging with treatment delivery, ensuring the most accurate radiation treatment with the fewest side effects. Every time a patient comes for treatment, he/she gets a CT image.

Rick Haraldson, Sidney Health Center CEO stated, “We have some of the best resources available to treat cancer locally and thanks to the Foundation’s generous donors, we were able to complete Phase II and better serve our cancer patients. Now that’s community support at its finest!”